LANCASTER, PA — Sight & Sound is marking its 50th anniversary with an expanding entertainment business that now reaches audiences through two large-scale theaters, a global streaming service and feature films, five decades after the company began with slideshow presentations in rural Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1976 by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, Sight & Sound has reached more than 40 million people through its productions and media operations, according to the company. Its theaters in Lancaster County and Branson, Missouri, now draw nearly 2 million guests annually.
The anniversary comes as Sight & Sound continues to extend its biblical storytelling beyond live theater. Its Sight & Sound TV streaming platform is available in 200 countries and territories, while its film division has released two feature films and is developing a third.
The company’s growth followed a major setback in 1997, when a fire destroyed its six-year-old Entertainment Centre in Lancaster shortly after the premiere of “NOAH.”
Within 18 months, Sight & Sound constructed a larger theater on the property with seating for more than 2,000 guests. The company expanded geographically in 2008 with the opening of its second theater in Branson.
“Just a few days after the fire, my grandparents sat across from each other and decided that Sight & Sound was more than a business, it was a calling,” Katie Miller, vice president of brand development and the founders’ eldest granddaughter, stated.
Sight & Sound expanded into professional training in 2013 with the opening of its Conservatory, a two-year apprentice-based program for Christian artists. The program has trained 122 students, according to the company.
More recently, the organization moved into streaming and theatrical films. Sight & Sound Films has released “I HEARD THE BELLS” and “A GREAT AWAKENING,” with the latter receiving a theatrical release as well as DVD and streaming distribution.
The company’s 50th-anniversary year also brought the premiere of “JOSHUA” at its Lancaster theater after nearly four years of development. Sight & Sound plans to bring the production to movie theaters through a special event this fall.
The company is already developing its next original stage production and third feature film as it seeks to broaden its audience beyond visitors to its physical theaters.
For the 2027 season, “JONAH” will return to Lancaster, while “DANIEL” will make its Branson debut. Sight & Sound plans to change the Branson theater’s programming model afterward to present a different production each year.
“Throughout our story, God has led the way for seas to part and giants to fall,” Chief Executive Officer Matt Neff stated. “He’s been faithful on the mountaintops, and through every trial.”
Sight & Sound is also using its anniversary to offer limited-edition merchandise and previously provided a free week of streaming access to productions including “NOAH 30th Anniversary,” “DAVID,” “DANIEL,” “QUEEN ESTHER” and “JESUS.”
Tickets and additional information are available at sight-sound.com.
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